1 Feb 2016

Will Liverpool sign any new players today? According to Jurgen Klopp, a new signing is very unlikely, but new reports this afternoon suggest that there may one or two outgoings before the transfer window slams shut.

"Jose Enrique is in talks with Newcastle [who] have made an approach to sign the Spanish defender. Liverpool won’t stand in his way if he can agree terms".

Enrique almost left for West Brom in the summer, but after failing to agree a deal, he claimed that he wanted to stay and 'fight for his place'.

At the time, Reds legend Jan Molby slammed Enrique for taking such a 'ridiculous' stance:

"I find it amazing [Enrique] wants to stay there's no chance of playing. The writing is on the wall. Enrique barely played last season and now he’s training away from the first-team squad. Why not just move on?"

The same reasoning applies here: if Newcastle are interested, then Enrique should just 'move on' (!) However, in all fairness:

* Enrique has a contract, so he's perfectly within his rights to see it out. Granted, he has a horrible injury history, but that's part and parcel of football (though if it were down to me, perpetual sicknotes would be docked part of their salary)

* No one forced Liverpool to sign Enrique, and pay him £65k-a-week. Why should he leave and take (in all probability) a massive pay cut just because the Reds want him out?

* In September, Enrique stated: "The squad has only one pure left-back [Alberto Moreno] and I know that if I stay I’ll play. I want to prove that some are wrong.” - Well, that's true: Enrique *has* played, and if he decides to stay till the summer, he'll probably play again.

If Liverpool are hemorrhaging money on salaries, then it's down to the club, not the player, and it should be resolved by instituting a more prudent approach to transfers and contracts.

Obviously, I want Enrique to leave, but in my view, he's perfectly within his rights to stick it out to the end of his contract.

If Enrique rejects Newcastle and stays at Anfield, he'll merely be exercising his contractual rights, just as you or I would do in our jobs if the money was similarly attractive.

* UPDATE: 5:34PM - The Liverpool Echo now claims: "Jose Enrique just strolling out to train at Melwood. Couldn't agree personal terms with Newcastle and will stay put until summer".